Do deck, pergola and patio builders need a licence in Australia?
NSW, VIC and QLD need a licence or registration over a set job value, and SA needs a building work licence at any value. In WA, TAS, ACT and NT it depends on the size of the job and whether it needs a permit.
Licence by state
| State | Licence needed? | Licence and who issues it | Check a licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSWNew South Wales | Over a job value $5,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Contractor licence - carpentry, structural landscaping, or erection of prefabricated metal-framed home additions and structures Building Commission NSW The prefabricated metal licence covers decks, patios, gazebos, awnings, verandas, pergolas and carports. |
Verify Licence - home building licence check |
| VICVictoria | Over a job value $10,000 incl GST (labour and materials) |
Domestic Builder (limited to carpentry, structural landscaping, shade structures, or non-habitable building structures) Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) Attaching only an awning or balustrade is a single trade that needs no registration. |
BPC Find and check a practitioner |
| QLDQueensland | Over a job value $3,300 incl GST (labour and materials) |
QBCC Structural landscaping, or Builder Restricted to Structural Landscaping Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Shade sails need the Builder Restricted to Special Structures (shade sails) licence. |
QBCC licensee register |
| WAWestern Australia | Depends on the work $20,000 or more for work that needs a building permit ($50,000 or more for class 10a buildings); GST treatment not stated |
Building contractor registration Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) Timber decking is exempt. Only applies inside the prescribed area of the state. |
WA Online Licence Search |
| SASouth Australia | Yes | Building work contractor's licence (plus building work supervisor registration) Consumer and Business Services (CBS) A building includes any structure, so decks and pergolas need a licence at any job value. |
Check occupational licence holders |
| TASTasmania | Depends on the work | Builder licence (only for larger or notifiable work) Consumer Affairs Tasmania (Building Standards Tasmania) Low decks and carports are low risk work with no permit. Some larger projects can only be done by a licensed builder. |
Find a licensed tradesperson |
| ACTAustralian Capital Territory | Depends on the work | Builder licence (Class C or higher) when the work needs building approval Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) Decks and pergolas that need building approval must be built by a licensed builder. |
Access Canberra public registers |
| NTNorthern Territory | Depends on the work over $25,000 for prescribed residential building work (GST and materials treatment not stated) |
Building contractor registration (residential) Building Practitioners Board (NT) Verandas and open carports added to an existing home do not need a registered builder. |
Public Register of Building Practitioners |
Jobs that need an extra licence
Shade sailsBuilder Restricted to Special Structures (shade sails); VIC: shade structures class
QLD, VIC
Metal patios, carports and awnings (kit or prefabricated)Erection of prefabricated metal-framed home additions and structures
NSW
Metal or glass balustradesMetal fabrication or glazing licence
NSW, QLD
Roofed patios joined to the houseBuilder licence may be needed if it is part of an extension
All states and territories (see the builders page)
Lights, fans and power pointsLicensed electrician
All states and territories
Hiring? How to check a licence
- Ask for the licence or registration number and the name on it.
- Check the number on the official register for your state (links below).
- Make sure the name, licence class and expiry date match the person or company you are hiring.
- Check the licence covers the exact work, not just a related trade.
- Ask if your deck, pergola or patio needs council or building approval, and who will get it.
- Check the licence class covers the material, such as timber, metal kit or shade sail.
- Ask for the engineering or footing details for raised decks and roofed patios.
- Get a written quote and contract that shows the licence number.
- For electrical, plumbing or gas parts of the job, check that tradie's own licence too.
Find local businesses: Patio BuilderPergola BuildersDeckingBalustradingAwningShade Sail InstallersGazebo Builders
On ServiceTasker, a business uploads its licence and our team checks it before a licence badge shows on its profile. You see what it holds, never the number or the document.
For businesses: how to get this licence
- Qualify: finish a Certificate III in Carpentry or in Landscape Construction.
- Experience: get supervised, paid work. VIC asks for at least 1 year for structural landscaping or shade structures and 3 years for carpentry.
- Documents: have your ID, qualification copies, a police check (NSW asks for one no older than 4 months) and business details ready.
- Apply to your state (links below). QLD also needs the business unit BSBESB402 and financial checks.
- Licensed in another state? You may be able to work under mutual recognition. Check the state page first.
| State | Who issues it | Apply here (official) | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | Building Commission NSW | How to apply | Requirements |
| VIC | Building and Plumbing Commission (BPC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| QLD | Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) | How to apply | Requirements |
| WA | Building and Energy (WA Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety) | How to apply | Requirements |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | How to apply | Requirements |
| TAS | Consumer Affairs Tasmania (Building Standards Tasmania) | How to apply | Requirements |
| ACT | Access Canberra (Construction Occupations Registrar) | How to apply | Requirements |
| NT | Building Practitioners Board (NT) | How to apply | Requirements |
Last checked: 12 November 2026. General information only, not legal advice. Rules, fees and forms change: always check with the regulator in your state before you hire or apply. Some details could not be confirmed online and are left out; the regulator can confirm them.
Official sources (36)
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/structural-land...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/builder/builder-restricted-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/builder/builder-restricted-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trade/sheds-carports-...
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence/available-licences/other-trades/metal-fabricat...
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- verify.licence.nsw.gov.au /home/Trades
- nsw.gov.au /business-and-economy/licences-and-credentials/building-and-trade-lice...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /resource-hub/info-sheets/What-is-domestic-building-work
- consumer.vic.gov.au /housing/building-and-renovating/plan-and-manage-your-building-project...
- bpc.vic.gov.au /home-owners/before-you-start-building/engaging-a-builder
- bpc.vic.gov.au /find-and-check-a-practitioner
- bpc.vic.gov.au /builders/registration/how-to-complete-your-builder-application
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/start-your-career/when-you-need-licence
- qbcc.qld.gov.au /licences/apply-licence
- my.qbcc.qld.gov.au /myQBCC/s/qbcc-licensee-register
- wa.gov.au /government/publications/do-i-need-be-registered-building-contractor
- wa.gov.au /government/multi-step-guides/builders-registration
- ols.demirs.wa.gov.au /search
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/building-and-trades/building-work...
- legislation.sa.gov.au /_legislation-documents/lz/c/r/building-work-contractors-regulations-2...
- sa.gov.au /topics/business-and-trade/licensing/licence-check
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/technical-regulation/building-standards/permit-authorities/cat...
- consumeraffairs.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/licensed-occupations/building-provi...
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/resources-tools/apply-for-a-licence
- buildingstandards.tas.gov.au /topics/licensing-and-registration/search-licensed-occupations/find-a-...
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/construction-licences
- planning.act.gov.au /professionals/regulation-and-responsibilities/extension-of-trade-lice...
- services.accesscanberra.act.gov.au /s/public-registers
- bpb.nt.gov.au /
- bpb.nt.gov.au /practitioners
- ntlis.nt.gov.au /building-practitioners/
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